Coin selector



` B. w. FRY

COIN SELECTOR Aug. l1, 1942.

Filed Den. 4, 1940 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 B. w1. FRY 2292628 cpm SELECTOR Filed nee. "4, 1946 5 sheets-sheet Y2 Aug. 11, 1942. B. w, FRY 2,292,628

COIN 'SELECTOR Filed Dec. 4. 1940 5 sheets-sheet 3 OUTLET I7 F R FI I GOOD 4ICgELS il", s A

204 185 195*` 1^ Y ZolliFun/ous com OUTLET FOB GOOD k B'. w. FRY

j Aug.r11,1942. y'

2 com SELECTOR f vFiled Dec. 4. 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l5A a m, 9\. l .Mv 5G n a w w 7 0 .zu 3, 2 l 2 Z 6 Z 9 Z 4 2 nl/N @2 N Q G Patented Aug. 11, 1942 COIN SELECTOR Benjamin W. Fry, University City, Mo., assigner to National Slug Rejectors, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application December 4, 1940, Serial No. 363,487

24 Claims.

This invention relates to coin selectors and with regard to certain more specic features, to multiple coin selectors for segregating several denominations of 'legitimate coins from their counterfeits and fromone another.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a multiple coin selector,

which 'is adapted to segregate various coins (which term is used herein as inclusive of both good and counterfeit coins, slugs, discs, washers, A tokens and the like) in accordance with their weights, diameters, materials, and surface characteristics; the provision of apparatus of the class described which, in addition to differentiating between good coins and o thers, will differentiate between several denominations of good coins, for directly returning good coins of incorrect denomination to the operator, if desired, without the necessity for a manual clearing operation, or which will differentiate good coins for other purposes; the provision of apparatus of the class described which is adapted to receive and to sort coins according to their usual denominational characteristics prior to testing them otherwise, whereby each denomination of coin is subject to tests for spuriousness which are particularly adaptable to that denomination, and no other, thus simplifying both the structural and operational characteristics of the device; the provision of a coin selector of theclass -described which includes elements readily adapted for conjoint use with other types of coin-testing apparatus; and the provision of a coin selector of the class described which is simple in arrangement of parts, reliable and positive in operation and particularly compact in form. Other objects will be in part obvious and. in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises ythe elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are illustrated several of various possible embodiments lf'the invention,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of one form of the invention;

K Fig. 2 is an end elevation viewed from the left of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan View viewed from the top of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation viewed from `the right of Fig. 1 and from the left of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to the lower end of Fig. 5, but showing parts broken away and indicating a path of a good coin;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing parts broken away, and indicating paths of good coins of 5, 10 and 25 denominations;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken near line ing out;

Fig. 13 is a Vertical section taken near line |3-I3 of Fig. 5 showing a 10 coin in position;

Fig. 14 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary view similar to the upper portion of Fig. 1, but showing an alternative embodiment;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary rear elevation corresponding to Fig. 5, but showing said alternative embodiment of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a cross section taken near line Il--II of Fig. 15, parts being broken away;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary view corresponding to the upper left portion of Fig. 15 but illustrating operation by an inserted coin;

Fig. 19 is a vertical section like Fig. 8, but with a gate part in a moved position; and,

Fig. 20 is a vertical section taken on line 2li-20 of Fig. .3.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

'I'he present invention refers particularly (by way of example) to means for separating from one another and testing for spuriousness United States 10 and 5 coins. -The testing for spuriousness is in part physical and in part compositional. Since a large proportion of counterfeit coins presented to the ordinary coin selector are abnormal in their physical characteristics, 'a number of tests for such physical characteristics are made ahead of the compositional tests for each of the coins. Since, however, the problem 5 of separating from one another good coins of ratus serves.

various denominations, such as the separation of 25, 10 and 5' pieces (quarters, dimes and nickels respectively) involves a test for size only,

such testing is made ahead of the time that any of the tests for spuriousness are carried out. 4An additional reason for doing this is that any imitation of any given denomination of coin usually at least limitates its proper diameter, so that by iirst sorting according to size (diameter), all good and spurious 25 pieces (quarters) for example may thereafter be sent through a separate succession of testing means; all good and spurious 5 pieces (nickels) for example, may be sent through a second succession of testing means;

land all good and spurious pieces (dimes) may to coins of one of the denominations.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1-5, there `is shown at numeral I a main center plate which forms the main vertical support for the other parts of the apparatus to be described. 'Ihis center plate'is flanged as shown at 3 to provide suitable fastening means for attachment into vending apparatus or the like which the appa- Fastened to the center plate I (on its front surface as viewed in Fig. 1) is a guide plate 5 fastened by upper screws 1 (see also Fig. 10) and by a lower holding lug 9 (Fig. 1). The lug is in a. slot in the right-hand iiange 3. This guide plate 5 is spaced from the center plate as indicated at II at a distance to accommodate between it and the plate I both 25 pieces (quarters) and 5 pieces (nickels) To provide removable runways for the quarters and nickels, a swinging gate I3 is provided, this gate' including arms I5 by means of which it swings on a pintle I1. The pintleI1 is supported in lugs I9 which extend upward from the fixed guide plate 5. The swinging gate I3 is normally biased toward the center plate I by a coil spring ried on the opposite center plate I runways when the gate I3 is opened, and thus sticking, there is provided anoverlying pusher plate |43 which is also rotary on the pintle I1 and normally held toward a fixed stop |44 on the ilxed guide plate 5. This pusher plate |43 at its left end carries a turned-in lip |43 which extends through a slot |48 in the -gate I3 (Figs. 1, 19 and 20). The inner edges of the lip |45 permit passage of coins between said edges and plate I and down the runways 29 and 3|; but if a coin becomes stuck and the gate I3 is opened, the lip |46 holds the co'in so that it cannot follow the runways on the gate for support. In other words, the coins are pushed on! the runways to drop down. The leaf spring |50 normally biases the pusher plate |43 in the same direction as the, bias of coil spring 2| on gate I3. After a certain angle of opening of the swinging gate I3 has been reached, the pusher plate |43 is engaged and is moved outwardly as a unit with the gate I3, against bias of spring |53. f

For magnetically testing the quarters which pass down the upper track or runway 29, the guide plate 5 carries a magnet keeper 31 in spaced relation to the poles of a magnet 39 car- (Fig. 5). The guide plate 5 and center plate I also carry magnetic members 4| and 43 respectively, shown 2| reacting between a fixed lug 23 and a cross bar 25 between the arms I5. A limit lug 21 prevents the gate I3 from being swung out from plate I more than a predetermined distance.

A purpose of the swinging gate I3 is to provide independently of guide plate 5 a movable supporting track 29 for quarters, and also a supporting track 3| for nickels. These tracks are fastened to the gate and swing with it (Figs. 1, 'l

and 20). The track 29, when the gate is swung' shut, 'passes through a notch 33 in the guide plate 5 and takes up a position between the guide plate 5 and the center plate I. The supporting track 3| for nickels moves through a notch 35 when the gate I3 is closed. 'I'hus both the tracks 29 and 3| serve to form removable runways for quarters and nickels respectively between the guide plate 5 and center plate I. Since the tracks 29 and 3| swing with the gate I3 away from the center plate I, they may drop any coins which are held up on the tracks.

To prevent coins which are detained in the runways 29 and 3| from moving over with the in Figs. 1 and 5 respectively, spaced from one another to, permit passage therebetween of nickels that roll down the track 3|. 'I'he purpose of these magnetic testing means will be specied hereinafter.

yIn order to swing open the gate I3 the limited distance shown in Fig. 10, it is provided on the upper one of its arms I5 with a horizontal follower roller 45 which is engaged by the upper portion 48 of a scavenger arm 41. The upper portion 43 of the arm 41 therefore acts as a driving cam for the follower roller 45. The arm 41 is pivoted at 49 to the center plate and is normally biased to the counterclockwise position shown in Fig. 1 wherein the gate is closed. The bias is effected by a coil spring 5| reacting from aflxed lug 53 on the center plate I against a at nger plate 55 upon the top of arm 41. 'Ihe nger plate 55 serves for manual (finger) application of force downward to rotate the arm l 41 clockwise (Fig. 1) so that its upper portion functions as a cam for the follower roller 45 to swing open the gate I3 and pusher plate |43.

The scavenger arm 41, besides functioning as a cam, has a downward extension 51 shown better in Fig. 7. In Fig. '1 the gate I3 and plate |43 have been removed, but the closed positions of the tracks 29 and 3| (and also an additional guide |49) are shown by dotted-cross-hatching.

The downward extension 51 of the arm 41y mined by an adjustable' stop wedge 59 which ismovable up and down in a slot 6I, and which is held in predetermined position by lock screws 33 (Fig. 5).

The solid-line position (Fig. '1) of they lever 41 is important, because 'the lever includes a third functional part consisting of an anvil or deflec- 'tor 65 operated to bounce or deilect certain coins in a manner to be described.

From .theabove it win be clear that the arm 41 has three functions: (1) to cam open the gate I3; (2) subsequently to scavenge the space near the magnets which was occupied bythe tracks 29 and 3|v when the gate `wasclosed; and (3) to .Y hold the coin deflector 65 in proper position whenv the lever is returned against the stop 59.

An` inlet opening is determined by the lug 53, a second and opposite lug 61 (both on the center plate I), the intermediateportion 99 of the center plate and an upward extension 1| of the gate I3. In order physically to test coins entering at the opening A thus determined, an opening 13 is provided in the center plate I, and a notch in 1|, through which extends a detector finger 15. This nger 15 is mounted upon an upwardly extending arm 11 of a bell crank 19 (see also Fig. 5). A laterally extending arm 8| of the bell crank 19 carries a counter weight 83,

so that normally the finger 15 is biased toward the right in Fig. 1 and the left in Fig. 5. The bell crank 19 is pivoted at 84 and engagement of the` finger 15 with the adjacent notch 85 in the extension 1| determines the position of the finger 15. The position of the finger 15 is such when the gate I3 is closed that a normal quarter will push it aside (clockwise in Fig. 5 and counterclockwise in Fig. 1), the weight of the quarter being enough to cause lifting of the' weight 83.

However, if a spurious quarter of light weight is inserted, the weight 83 will prevent the nger 15 from being pushed aside.Y Thus there is brought about the first test, this being for light Weight quarters. But nickels and dimes, being smaller, and, in addition, smaller spurious coins, pass through the space between the finger 15 and the opposite lug 53, without moving the finger 15, at least not sufliciently for the purpose to be mentioned. They are directed, or by-passed to the left by the slope 28 on runway 29.

The finger 15 is bent over as shown in Fig. 3 for engagement by the lower end of the notch 85, which when the gate |3 is swung open, moves f aside. This clears any light weight coins which Y* associated with the finger 15 and consists of a wire having a vertical portion 81 (Fig. 5) which is rotary in a groove 85 behind a supporting bracket 89, the supporting bracket 89 being also that which supports the pivot 84 for the bell crank 19. This wire portion 81 has a lower lateral portion 9| extending to openings 93 into which the wire is bent to form a finger 95. This finger 95, like the finger 15, intersects the inlet A but it is located beyond said finger 15 and at the entry to runway 29.

At the upper end of the portion 81 of the wire is also a bent-over portion 91 which when the finger 15 is moved clockwise (Fig. 5) causes the wire to rotate on its vertical axial portion 81, thus to withdraw the mger 95 from theentry A.

v*On the other hand, when the finger 15 is in its position shown in Fig. 5, the nger 95 intersects below said inlet and ahead of the runway 29 upon the quarter may drop freely down on to.

the track 29 to roll to the right (Fig. 1) in between the magnetic members 31 and 39, as indicated by dotted lines BI and B2 in Fig. 7. The path followed is indicated at C in Fig. '1. If a counterfeit quarter is too large, it sticks between 29 and 53, and may then be cleared by swinging out the gate I3 with track 29; or it may be refused at an insert opening (not shown).

As true or good quarters leave the end of the track 29, they drop as indicated at B3. Each here strikes the upper edge of a movable bar 99 and falls o to the right to the position B4 behind a lower guide plate I0| which is fastened to thecenter plate I at Afasteners, |03 (Fig. '1). Plate IOI includes a deflecting tongue |05 (Fig. ll)`which extends back through an opening |01 (see also Fig. 5) in the plate IOI. Next to the opening |01 (on the back) is an outlet chute |09 (see Fig. 5) forming part of a plate I I I .attached to the rear of the device. The outlet chute |09 is for` good quarters, see also Fig. 14. The final' position for a good quarter is shown at B5 in Fig. '1 (see also the dotted position B6 in Fig. 11) The bar 99, as indicated, intersects an opening |I3 in the center plate I and a notch II5 in the front guide plate IOI. The guide plate |0| and the center plate I-are spaced at points not required for fastening, so as to accommodate coins therebetween. 'I'he bar 99 crosses this space at the openings ||3 and' II5. The bar 99 is also fastened to an arm II'I (Fig. 5) which carries a counterweight II9 and is pivotally mounted at |2l on a guide bracket |23, the latter being adjustably held by a fastening screw |25 cooperating with a slot |21. 'I'he lateral position of the bar 99 may thus be adjusted so that quarters which strike it and deflect` it down will fall off to the right (Fig. '1; B3) and thus enter the good coin passage |09 as described. Spurious quarter coins of improper composition which have too high an electrical conductivity, such as for example copper, will in passing the magnet 39 have induced therein eddy currents which set up a reacting magnetic field which slows down the coin to such an extent that it drops practically straight down off the ledge of the track or runway 29. 'Ihus when it strikes the bar 99 and the bar4 is rotated downwardly, the coin is deflected to the left. Hence the coin falls in at a different point between the plate IOI and the center plate At this point, the plate |0| is provided with an opening |29 across which reaches a lug |3I. 'I'he lug |3| passes' into an opening |33 in the center plate I so that these quarters of too high a conductivity (falling to the left of 99) are deflected forward through the opening |29 (Figs. 'I and 12) and into position on a track |35 which forms a part of the plate |0|. is covered as indicated in Fig. 1 by a plate |31 and communicates with a bad coin outlet |39. This outlet is for spurious 25 coins,and for certain other ones which will be referred to later.

Spurious quarters of lower electrical conductivity than true quarters, such as of brass, lead,

zinc, or German silver, will pass the magnet 39` too fast and strike the properly positioned anvill or defiector 65 to be bounced or deected there--y from to the left of the bar 99 and down onto the deflector I 3| .and through the opening |29,

thence down thetrack |35 and to the spurious coin outlet |39.

` upon depressing the plate 55 and rotatingI the laterally. out of intersectingn position, because oi the action of the bar 41 on the roller 45. y

The coin being scavenged out of the magnetic field then falls down on the outside curved portion I4| of the plate IUI and downwardinto Any quarter-sized washers are intercepted by the return action of thev wire finger 95 after the rear of such a coin leaves vthe'iinger 15. 'I'his is because the finger 15 is normally returned to its original position behind the coin by the weight 63, and this in turn forces the wire iinger 95 to intersecting position in any washer hole. Naturally, if there is no hole in the coin, as in a good quarter, the finger cannot intersect. However, if the surface of the coin is too rough, or if it has a hole in the center, the biased iinger 95 will intersect the hole or grip the too-rough surface and prevent further progress of the c'oin. 'I'hen upon depressing the plate 55 and opening the gate, the curved end portion of the ilnger 15 is contacted so that through the elements 11, 91, and 9| (Fig. 5) the finger 95 is withdrawn to release the washer to drop down into the spurious coin outlet |39.

'I'he spurious coins which are held up on the track or runway 29 (as well as the runway 3| to be described) are scraped oil as the tracks 29, 3| are pulled aside with the swinging open of the gate I3. pressure plate |43 which is bent toward the gate I3 and which lip passes through an opening |48 in said gate I3 (Figs. 1 and 20). Since the gate I3 has some lost motion the lip |46 remains stationary while the gate I3- moves with the result that any tendency for any coin to remain on either of the tracks 29 or 3| is prevented. Such coins are pushed off by the lip |46 and drop down as described above.

From the above it will be seen that coins, both good and spurious, which are smaller than quarters. will drop between the lug 53 and the finger 15 without moving the latter. Hence the wire finger 95 is not withdrawn, and such coins are deflected or by-passed or branched off to the left of the track 29. being guided by surface 29, as indicated at DI for example (Fig. '1). An auxiliary guide |49 on the swinging gate I3 'determines the path of the largest of said coins.

which herein are intended to be of the size of United States nickels. Substantially larger coins that are smaller than quarters are blocked.

By-passed coins are tested by a, size and weight responsive. nger |5I which is carried on a bell crank |53 pivoted at |55 on the gate I3, and carrying on one of its arms a counterweight |51. The bell crank |53 is normally biased counterclockwise (Fig. 1) by the weight |51. The pivot |55 is carried on a bracket |59 fastened to the gate I3. This bracket |59 supports in a notch |66 a Wire I6| for rotation about a vertical axis. Wire |6| as shown in Fig. 9, includes a bent portion |63 which, when the finger I5| is moved to the right (Figs. 1 and 9), causes another finger portion I 65 of the wire to be withdrawn from 'I'his is due to the lip |46 of 40 intersecting the passage above the lower track 3|. The finger I 65 traverses openings |61 when in intersecting position. In Fig. 9 a 5 coin (nickel Dz) is shown in position, and as having moved the linger |5I to the right, thus having rotated the wire 6| so as to have withdrawn the tlnger I 65, thus permitting passage of the coin down onto the track 3|. After the coin passes the nger |5I, the finger is returned by reason of the weight |51, and the wire |6| is re' turned to its original position by action of a wire spring |69. If the surface of the coin is too much rougher than that of a nickel or has a hole in it. it will be trapped by the return action of the'ilnger |65 through the hole, as in the case of pin 95.

If the coin'is too light it will not deilect the iinger 5I and therefore will be'impeded. By depressing the plate 55 so as to open the gate I3, the rib |46 pushes any impeded coin from the track 3|, whereupon it drops into the spurious coin outlet |39.

Assuming that a nickel coin rolls to the right down the track 3| (Fig. 7), it next is tested by the magnetic means 4|, 43. If too magnetic (iron for example) it sticks at the magnet to be removed by the scavenger 41. If it is a proper nickel it rolls down the path E through the posltions DI, D2, D3 and to position D4 between the plate |0| and the center plate I. Here it strikes the sharpened edge of an anvil |1I (Fig. 12) and bounces to the left over the lug |3| in between plates I6| and I. It goes through positions D4, D5, D5 and to position D1, and travels over a curved track |13 behind plate IDI.

Any spurious 5 coins which have too high an electrical conductivity, such as of copper, will be decelerated by the magnetic means 4| 43, so that they drop straight down and clear the left end of the anvil I1| (Fig. 7) and strike the deflecting lug |3I to be deflected forwardly through the opening I 29 and down onto the track |35, from whence they gravitate to the spurious coin outlet |39, along with spurious quarters.

Any spurious nickels that have too low a conductivity are not enough decelerated by the magnets 4I, 43, and strike the bar 99 which tilts down and causes these pieces to fall to the left,

but not enough to clear the lug |3I. 'I'hey fall down on the lug and are also deflected forwardly through the opening I 29 and down onto the track |35 and thence to the spurious coin outlet |39.

From the above it will be seen that all 5 coins (smaller than quarters) and still smaller coins are by-passed from the testing passages for the 25 coins. Likewise, all 10 coins, both good and spurious, are by-passed from the testing passages for the 5 coins, as indicated by the dotted-line positions FI, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6 and F1 in Figs. l and 6. Such coins are not large enough to enforce deection of the second testing finger |5|, and hence the second wire finger |65 is never Withdrawn from the inlet of the testing passages for the nickels. This means that coins smaller than 5 pieces are deflected to the left by the wire |65 (Fig. '7) and over the end of the runway 3|. Slope |66 ensures this.

It remains to sort out the spurious 10 coins from the good 10 coins. At such pieces pass through the opening determined by the left edge |66 of the track 3| and the lower edge |69 of the track |49 they are tested for excessive size. If they pass, they strike a lug |15 on the back of the gate I3, which acts as a shingle over a lug |11 turned in from a plate |19 fastened to the back of center plate (Fig. 13). The lugs |15 and |11 serve to transfer the coins through an opening |9| in the center plate, so that the dimes are tested behind the center plate I, referring to Figs. 1 and 7, or to the left, referring to Fig. l13.

'I'he plate 19 has outstanding ears |83 whichl carry a horizontal pintle |85 for pivoting a plate |81 on ears |88. This plate |81 carries a lower track or runway |89. yThe normalV gravitational position of plate l|81 is such as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 13, but itis held in its solid position shown in Fig. 13 by va screw |9| 'whichextends from the gate |3 through the opening |8| in the center'plate This screw operates upon.

an upper (with respect to pintle |85) extension |93 of the` plate |81 and therefore rotates the plate counterclockwise to its solid-line position such as shown in Fig. 13, wherein the track |89 is adapted to receive a dime which has been de;

flected through the opening |8| by the deilectors and |11, provided the coinfpasses a springing testing pin |95. This pin |95 is mounted upon a where it falls'short of the path H taken by the good dimesA but in strikingl the bar 201 moves ci! to .the right down an incline 2|'| and into aA iiat leaf spring |91 which at its opposite end is fastened to the plate, as 'indicated at |99. If

the dime is of proper weight, the spring |91 is deected (but not plate |81) andthe coin passes on down to the track |88. -If the coin is too light, the pin |95 will not be deflected sumciently and therefore the coin, which is shown in dotted lines at G in Fig. 13, will stick.

` If the coin G is supported upon the pin |95 by reason of being too light, it will ultimately be discharged downwardly when the gate I3 is moved outwardly to its dotted-line position upon clearing, as indicated in Fig. 10. This is because the screw |9| is withdrawn from extension |93 during this operation, so that the plate 81 as it swings to its normal dotted-line position pulls out the pin |95. AThe pin is tapered and permits the coin G to drop downwardly as above indicated. The pin also acts as a washer trapfor coins with holes in them, these being released upon clearing when the dotted-line position of parts is assumed in Fig. 13. After the leading edge of a coin passes the pin |95, the pin |95 presses against the side surface of the coin, for'cing it against the top, and,bottom edges 202 and 204 of the opening 20|. spaced from the rail |89 a distance slightly less than the diameter of a dime. If the coin is smaller than a dime, it will be tilted through the opening 20| by the spring action |91 on the pin |85, thus discharging it from the normal dime pathway.

If by reason of suicient weight the 10 coin G deflects and passes'the pin |95, it will pass down the track |89 as indicated at F2, F3, F4, in

. Fig. 6. 'Ihis track directsthe down coins past lthe lowermost magnet member, heretofore not mentioned. This magnet is shown at 203 and is mounted upon a bracket 206, which at regions under the magnet is spaced from the center plate so that 10 coins may pass under the magnet for magnetic testing. If a 10 coin is good, it takes the path I-I throughpositions F5, F6, F1 shown in Fig. 6 which is one wherein the piece is slowed up enough so that it drops substantially straightv down, clearing a bar 205 and striking a movable bar 201 in its dotted-line position (the bar being then thrown into its solid-line position) to b e deflected to the left and out of the outlet 209 for good dimes.

On the other hand, should the 10 coin be spurious and of too low electrical resistance, such as of copper, the magnetl slows it up to a degree The top edge :o4 is' The bar 205 consists of a xedlip which is bent over from bracket 2|5 carrying slot 2|1 for adjustable fastening by means of a screw 2|9 (see Fig. 5)

The movable bar 201 is in the form of a lip of a lever 22| which is counterweighted as indicated at 223 and pivoted at-225 to an adjustable bracket 221. Adjustment is obtained by means of the slot 229 in cooperation with a holding screw 23| (Fig. 5). Cover plate forms a support for these items, as well as for the chute |09 all ready described.

Spurious 10 coins of high magnetic characteristics are of course stopped by the magnet 203 and in order to scavenge them and any others that may stick above the track |89, there is provided an auxiliary scavenging arm 233 pivoted at 235 and having a lug 231. This arm is rior--- mally biased by a spring'239 to assume the upper dotted-line position shown in Fig. 5 or the solid-line position indicated in Fig. 6. In order to scavenge, this arm is pressed down by means of a push rod 24| which extends up to a pin connection 243 through an opening 245. AThe pin connection is carried on the lever 41, so that when the finger plate 55 is depressed, not only is the scavenging arm 41 operated, but also `the scavenging arm 233 through the push rod 24|. Thus at one push of 55, the whole machine is cleared of spurious coins.

In Figs. 15-18 is shown another form of the invention which is similar to the above in most particulars, as indicated by similarity of reference characters, Ibut the initial testing apparatus at the inlet A is different. It is to be /understood that this alternative apparatus may also be substituted for 5| and 05 but for brevity is not there shown. This alternative testing apparatus replaces the fingers 15 and 95. It'consists of a cradle 241 pivoted at 249 to the gate |3.4 This cradle has arms 25| and 253 which respectively carry lugs 255 and 251. The lug 255 extends through an additional opening 259 in the gate, and the lug 251 extends through an extension 262 of the opening |48. An opening 280 is made in the center plate opposite the opening 259 also to accommodate the vlug 255 (Fig. 16).

vAn opening 264 is also made in said center plate and 251 intersect the inlet opening A on opposite sides. The cradle member 241 has a third arm 263 which carries a counterweight 265.

When a 25 coin of proper size is inserted into the lopening A, it drops down and is caught by the lugs 255 and 251 and cradled therebetween, as indicated in Fig. 18. This tilts the cradle if the coin is of proper weight. If the coin is too light, the cradle will: not tilt, and the passage of the coin is blocked. A `proper 25 coin tilting the cradle is thrown out onto the track 29 which it is deemed not necessary further to illustrate since I it is the same as the one shown in the iirst form of the invention described.

Any coin caught in'the cradle 241 and which does not tilt it is cleared by movement of the gate upon depression of the plate 55. In this case an additional finger 268 is extended from the springing pressure gate |43 through another extension 268` of the opening 262. Outward movement of the gate I3 also causes outward movement of the cradle 241 so thatthe support for the coin at lugs 255 and 251 is pulled away while the coin is held by finger 268. There is of course clearance between pusher lugs |46 and 268 and center plate I, permitting normal coin passage.

Coins that are too small (such as 5 coins and coins and undersize imitations) will not span the lugs 255 and 251 and will pass between them. In doing so they function like the coins which are too small and pass through the fingers and 96 of the preferred form.

The various testing passages for the various coins are oi' such thickness as to block coins that are too thick for the denomination under test.

Hereinafter, the term coin-receiving passage or by-passage refers to inlet A down to lip |66 (Fig. 7). The quarter-testing passage starts at wire 95. 'I'he nickel-testing passage starts at wire |65. 'I'he dime-testing passage starts at track edge |66 and lug |15. In effect the three testing passages are branched from the coin-receiving passage.

It is to be understood that any or all of the good-coin outlets |09, |14 and 209 may respectively be connected with vending apparatus for goods having the respective purchase values of a quarter, nickel or dime, or any combination. Also, if a given one of these outlets is not connected to vending apparatus, it may be` connected to a coin-return chute which makes available to a customer an inadvertently inserted good coin of improper denomination, and this without the necessity of operating a'manual clearing mechanism. The return is prompt and direct. Bad coins from outlets |39 and 2|3 may be withheld or returned, as desired.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions without 'departing from the' scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In alcoin selector, means establishing a iirst coin-receiving passage for all coins both good and bad of a range of sizes and weights, and a testing passage leading from said nrst passage for coins of predetermined diameter, clearing means, means at the junction between said passages adapted to block spuriously light coins of the pre.. determined diameter, and coins greater than said diameter and to deliver to saidtesting passage other coins of said diameter, said means at the junction by-passing from said testing passage coins which are smaller than said diameter, said clearing means operatively relatedwith said first coin-receiving passage and saidy testing passage for dislodging coins arrested therein when said clearing means is operated. g

2. In a coin selector, means establishing a iirst coin-receiving passage for all coins both good and bad of a range of sizes and weights, and a testing passage leading from said first passage for coins of lpredetermined diameter, clearing means,

means at the junction between said passages adapted to block spuriously light coins of the predetermined diameter and coins greater than said diameter and to deliver to said testing passage other coins of said diameter, said means at the junction by'passing from said testing passage coins which are smaller, than said diameter, and means forming a second testing passage leading .from the coin-receiving passage and adapted to test said by-passed coins, said clearing means operatively related with said first coin-receiving passage, said testing passage and said second testing passage for dislodging coins arrested therein when said clearing means is'operated.

3. In a coin selector, means forming a coin-receiving passage for coins of various diametersA and weights, and a iirst testing passage leading from said coin-receiving passage for testing coins of a predetermined size, a second testing passage 4. In a coin selector, means establishing a firstv coin passage for receiving all coins both good and bad of a range of sizes, .successive testing passages for various coin sizes branched from said first passage, means in the rst passage adjacent each branch passage adapted to block light coins of correct size from the adjacent testing passage but to direct thereto coins of a predetermined size and above a certain weight, each of which blocking means is adapted to by-pass from its respective branch passage all coins which are subnormal in size for the respective adjacent branch passage.

5. In a coin selector, means establishing a coin by-passage, and a plurality of testing passages branching from said by-passage, means along the by-passage preventing the entry into the respective testing passages of coins oversize with respect to said passages, directing means at the entry of each testing passage responsive only to coins oi' proper diameter and weight to effect entry of such coins to the respective'testing passage, said directing means by-passing through the by-passage coins that are undersize with respect to the respective testing passage.

6. A coin selector comprising a wall, a swinging gate movable to and from said wall and providing in one position therewith a coin passage, a coin runway on said gate which supports coins when the gate is near the wall, manually operable means articulated with the gate whereby the latter may be opened to withdraw said runway, and means* extending through the movable gate adapted to prevent coins from maintaining a support on the gate when the gate is opened.

- 7. In a coin selector, means establishing a coin passage, a iinger intersecting the passage and movably mounted for deflection by a coin of sufiicient size, a movable pin intersectinggthe passage, an operating connection between the finger and the pin arranged so that the finger in response to actuation by a coin of sumcient sin causes withdrawal of the pin, said pin otherwise being biased to intersecting position, the ilnger and the pin being so spaced that a coin of insufficient size will pass therebetween so as not to actuate the linger and hence not the pin, testing means fon coins of suilicient size that pass the pin, and means providing .a by-pass for coins of f coins in another position of the gate, and deflect-- ingmeans in the coin-receiving passage for selectively delivering coins of a given diameter to one coin-receiving passage and to by-pass smaller coins to`another coin-receiving passage. a

12. In4 a coinvselector, means forming a coinreceiving passage for coins of 4several diameters,

means forming a plurality of testing passages each for a diierent diameter of coin andcommeans forming an outlet from the intersecting means ,whichby-passes said testing passage.

= 9. In a coin selector, means establishing a coinreceiving passage, spaced deecting means intersecting the passage responsive to a coin of proper size and sutlcient weight to move to a releasing position, a means forming a testing passage to receive released coins of proper diameter and suillcient weight, said detlecting means including a member blocking the testing passage except when responding to a coin of propery diameter and sufficient weight but maintaining said passage .against passage of coins .of subnormal diameter. a second passage means positioned to by-pass said testing passage, said deecting means being adapted to prevent kunderweight coins of suilicient diameter from passing into said vtesting passage.

10. In a coin selector, means establishing a coin-receiving passage for quarter, nickel and dime coins and also individual communicating testing passages respectively for said quarters, nickels and dimes, spaced pairsof deilecting means one being between the quarter-testing passage and coin-receiving passage and the other between the nickel-receiving passage and the coinreceiving passage, the deecting means at the quarter-testing passage being responsive to a coin of quarter size and suilicient weight to move to a releasing position wherein quarters and coins of equal diameter are deflected into the quartertesting passage, saiddeflecting means at the nickel-testing passage being responsive to a coin of nickel size and suillcient weight to move to a releasing position wherein nickels and coins of equal diameter are deected into the nickeltesting passage, said deilecting means at the quarter-testing passage including a member blocking the quarter-testing passage except when responding to coins of proper diameter and sumcient weight, whereby nickels, dimes and other coins of insuiilcient diameters are directed into the defiecting means. at the nickel-testing passage, said last-named deecting means including a member blocking the nickel-testing passage except when responding to coins of proper diameter and sumcient weight for the nickel coin passage but maintaining said intersection against passage oi dimes and coins of similar insuflicient diameter for direction intothe dime-testing passage.

11. Ina coin selector, means Iforminga coinreceiving passage for coins of several diameters, means forming a plurality o! testing passages each for a different diameter of coin and communicating with said coin-receiving passage. a swinging gate having a plurality of runways for supporting coins in said coin-testing passages in one position of the gate and for releasing said municating with. said coin-receiving passage, a swinging gate having a pluralityof runways for in one position of the gate and for releasing said coins in another position of the gate, deiiecting means in the coin-receiving passage for directing coins of a given diameter to one coin-receiving passage and to by-pass smaller coins to another coin-receiving passage, said deilecting means being adapted to stop certain spurious 13. yIn a, coin selector, means forming a coinreceiving passage for coins of several diameters, means forming a plurality of testing passages each for a diilerent diameter of coin and communicating with said coin-receiving passage, a swinging gate having a plurality of runways for supporting coins in said coin-testing passages in one position of the gate and for releasing said coins from the coin-testing passages in another position of the-gate, deilecting means in the coinreceiving passage for directing coins of a given n diameter to one coin-receiving passage and to bypass smaller coins to another coin-receiving passage, said deecting means being adapted to'stop certain spurious coins, means for releasing coins in all passages, and means for simultaneously i scavenging the several coin-selecting passages.

.14. A coin selector comprising a wall forming part of a coin passage, .a swinging gate on one side of the wall movable to and from said wall, a runway for coins on said gate which supports coins in said passage when the gate is near the wall, means for opening the gate to withdraw the runway, a. swinging member on the other side o! the wall movable to and from said wall and forming another coin passage, a coin runway on said swinging member which supports coins when the member is near the wall, and means connecting the swinging gate with the swinging member whereby when the gate is shut to place iis runway into coin-holding position, said swinging member is moved so that its runway is in coinholding position.

15. A eoln selector comprising a wall forming parts of rst and second coin passages; a swinging gate movable to and-from said wall, a plurality of runways for coins on said gate which support coins when the gate is near the Wall and tend to drop them when the gate is swung'open, means forming a coin-receiving passage communicating with said passages, means for deecting coins of a given size and weight to the ilrst one of the said passages and to direct coins of lesser size to the second one of said passages,

`a swinging member on the other side of the wall` forming a, third coin passage, deecting means at the second gate passage for directing to saidk supporting coins in said coin-testing passages l,

for delivering to said second passage coins of predetermined size and weight and by-passing smaller coins to said third passage, means interconnecting the gate and said swinging member whereby when the gate is swung away from said wall said swinging member also assumes a position away from said wall whereby coins may be dropped out of all of said passages.

17. A coin selector comprising a wall forming parts of two coin passages, a swinging gate movable to and from said wall, a plurality of runways for coins on said gate which support coins when the gate is near the wall and tend to drop them when the gate is swung open, means formvber on the other side of the wall forming a third passage, deiiecting means at the second passage ing a. coin-receiving passage communicating with said passages, means for deflecting coins of a given'size and weight to the rst 'one of said passages and to by-pass coins of lesser size to the second one of said passages, a swinging member on the other side of the wall providing a third coin passage communicating with said coinreceiving passage, deecting means at the second passage for delivering to said second passage coins of predetermined size and weight and bypassing smaller coins to said third passage, means interconnecting the gate and said swinging member whereby when the gate is swung away from said wall said swinging member also assumes a position away from said wall whereby coins may be dropped out of all three of said passages, and scavening means operable by a single motion to open the gate and to scavenge all coin passages.

18. A coin selector comprising a wall forming parts of coin passages, a swinging gate movable to and from said wall, a plurality of runways for coins on said gate which support coins when the gate is near the wall and tend to drop them when the gate is swung open, means forming a coinreceiving passage communicating with said gate 2,292,628 f Y y with each other extending into said pathway, po-

sitioning means affixed to said gauging means for resiliently urging said abutments into normal position, said abutments adapted to engage the edge of a coin of acceptable diameter when said coin is deposited under the iniiuence of gravity in said pathway to swing said gauging means against the restraining action of the aforesaid positioning means to divert said coin from said pathway, said abutments positioned to pass therethrough a coin of lesser diameter deposited insaid pathway, to separate coins of acceptable diameters from coins of lesser diameters.

20. In a coin selecting apparatus of the characterdescribed a coin pathway, a displaceable gauging means operatively related to said pathway for separating coins of acceptable diameters from coins of lesser diameters, comprising a swingable pivotally mounted gauge having two integral abutments in iixed relation with each other normally extending into said pathway, said gauge p votally mounted upon a gauge retainer,l

said retainer yieldably positioned upon the said selecting apparatus and adapted to be laterally displaced from said pathway. positioning means Aaflixed to said gauge for resiliently urging said abutments into normal position, said abutments adapted to be withdrawn from said pathway upon the displacement of said retainer, said abutments of said gauge adapted to engage the edge of a coin of acceptable diameter when said coin is deposited under the influence of gravity in said ratus of the character described for separating passages, means for deflecting coins of a given l size and weight to a iirst one of the passages and to by-pass coins of lesser size to the second one of said passages, a swinging member on the other side of the wall providing with the wall a third coin passage communicating with said coinreceiving passage, deflectingmeans at the second passage for delivering to said second passage coins of predetermined size and weight and by-passing the smaller coins to said third coin passage in the swinging member, 'means interconnecting the .gate and said swinging member whereby when 'the gate is swung away from said wall said swinging member also assumes a position away f from said wall whereby c oins may be dropped out ot all three of said passages, a scavening bar movable into the first and second passages and adapted to move the gate to open position, a second scavenging bar movable to scavenge the third passage, said second scavenger having articulation with the iirst scavenging member.

19. In a coin selecting apparatus of the character described having a coin pathway and means amxed to the said selecting apparatus operatively related to said pathway for separating coins of acceptable diameters from coins of lesser diameters, comprising a swingable gauging means having two integral abutments in fixed relation undersized coins from coins having predetermined acceptacle diameters of a frame having a coin receiving pathway, a connecting coin rejection pathway, a' connecting coin acceptance pathway, a pivotallymounted member having a pair of integral spaced projections normally extending into said coin receiving pathway, means adapted to yieldably urge said projections into a normal position, said member swingably secured to a movable retainer, said retainer yield- -ably positioned to the said frame adjacent to said receiving pathway and adapted to be laterally displaced from said frame to withdraw said 'projections from said receiving pathway, said pair of projections spaced in relation to encounter the edge of a coin oi.' acceptable diameter propelled by gravity in said receiving pathway to swing said member to divert said coin into said acceptance pathway, said projections arranged to by-pass therebetween al coin propelled by gravity in said receiving pathway having'a diameter less than a coin of acceptable diameter, to separate undersized coins from coins having acceptable diameters and to scavenge said pathways.

22. In a coin selecting apparatus of the character described having a coin receiving pathway, a connecting acceptance pathway for receiving lcoins of predetermined diameters, and a connecting rejection pathway for receiving coins having diameters less than the said coins of predetermined diameters, a pivotally mounted gauging means having a predetermined opening there- "throughr positioned in" said receiving pathway, whereby a coin having a predeterminedacceptable diameter deposited in said coin receiving 4means for restoring said gauging. means to its.

normal inactive `position, said gauging means yadapted to by-pass a coinjpropelled by gravity,

-having a diameter less thanv said coin of predetermined diameter through said opening in said gauging means into the said rejection pathway, to separate lcoins having predetermined acceptable diameters from coins having lesser diameters.

23. In a coin selector for separating spurious coins from acceptable coins and also sorting coins of diierent diameters, av single entrance pathway means, a predetermined plurality of testing pathway means; each said testing pathway means Joining said first-mentioned means at a junction connecting with said entrance pathway means, each said testing means adapted to receive coins of a single predetermined diameter, diameter gauging means positioned at each said junction corresponding with each -said testing pathway means, a rejection conducting means connecting with said entrance pathway means and said plumeans will encounter their corresponding gauging means and be sorted in accordance with their diameters and directed into their corresponding testing pathway means, and whereby spurious coins depositedl and propelled by gravity in the said entrance pathway means ,will lbe'l rejected either .by said gauging means or said testing pathways, dependent upon their physical properties,

and then conducted to said rejection conducting means, to sort coins of predetermined diameters and to separate spurious coins therefrom.

24. In a coin selector for separating spurious coins from acceptable coins and also sorting coins of different diameters, a single entrance pathway means, a predetermined plurality of testing .pathway means, each said. testing pathway means Joining said first-mentioned means at a Junction connecting with said entrance pathway means, each said testing means adapted to receive coins of a single predetermined diameter,

diameter gauging means positioned at each said junction corresponding with each said testing pathway means, a rejection conducting means i and propelled by gravity in said entrance path- Y way means will encounter their corresponding gauging means and be sorted in accordance with their diameters and directed into their corresponding' testing pathway means, whereby spurious coins deposited and propelled by gravity in the said entrance pathway means will be rejected either by said lgauging means or said testing pathways, dependent upon their physical properties, and then conducted to said rejection conducting means, and whereby theoperation of said clearing means will dislodge any coin arrested in said pathway means into said' rejection conducting means, to sort coins ofpredetermined diameters, to'separate spurious coins therefrom, and to clear :coins suspended in said .coin selector. V

BENJAMIN W. FRY. 

